Drosophila melanogaster Aldolase: Characterization of the Isozymes α, β, and γ Generated from a Single Gene1

Abstract

Three isozymic forms, alpha, beta, and gamma, of Drosophila melanogaster aldolase are produced from a single gene by alternative usage of the triple exons 4 (4 alpha, 4 beta, and 4 gamma) [Shaw-Lee et al. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 3959-3967; Kim et al. (1992) Mol. Cell. Biol. 12, 773-783; Kai et al. (1992) J. Biochem. 112,677-688]. The expression plasmids for the respective isozymes were transfected into Escherichia coli cells, and the isozymes alpha and beta were purified to homogeneity by a simple procedure, though isozyme gamma was only partially purified. These isozymes are active towards two substrates, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (Fru-1,6-P2) and fructose-1-phosphate (Fru-1-P), with a preference for Fru-1,6-P2 over Fru-1-P, but they have different kcat/Km values towards these two substrates; isozyme alpha shows the highest value for Fru-1,6-P2. These isozymes show similarity in optimal pHs, thermal stability, and Km values for both Fru-1,6-P2 and Fru-1-P. They are composed of four identical subunits of 40 kDa, forming a tetramer with a molecular weight of approximately 160 kDa. The three isozymes are different in primary structure only at the carboxyl-terminal region encoded by the respective exon 4. Therefore, this region should be primarily responsible for the distinct characteristics of these isozymes.

Aldolase is a Target of Oxidative Modifications: Evidence from Drosophila melanogaster

“…The 85 kDa protein band, showing repeat sequences is most probably an artifact of in vitro treatments as DNPH or SDS-PAGE treatments. Interestingly, an approximately 85 kDa protein has also been observed by other groups (Zhang et al, 1995) during the course of purification of recombinant aldolase isozymes expressed in E. coli as can be observed in their published Fig. 1, Lane 3 data.…”